Chancellor Calls for Resignation of Pa. Justice Joan Orie Melvin

The 13,000-member Philadelphia Bar Association released the following statement from Chancellor John E. Savoth regarding the filing of criminal charges on May 18 against Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin:

"This is a sad day for the justice system in Pennsylvania. A justice of the highest tribunal in the state has been charged with violating state law. It is imperative that Justice Joan Orie Melvin resign from the state Supreme Court immediately to maintain the integrity of our justice system. The charges against Justice Orie Melvin cast a shadow on the court that compromises the ability for justice to be dispensed fairly. We cannot have a sitting justice who has been indicted."